Nature and the great outdoors are very important to the Denver-based VF Corporation.

Along with manufacturing popular outdoor clothing brands like The North Face, Timberland and Altra, the company has donated $4.5 million to 65 non-profit organizations across Colorado to promote access to the outdoors and even give underprivileged children the chance to go skiing for the first time.

“At VF Corporation and The VF Foundation, there is a deep commitment to creating a positive impact that energizes VF employees as agents for change,” said Gloria Schoch, the executive director for the VF Foundation.

“We are excited to be a part of the fabric of this community by serving on nonprofit boards, planting trees, building trails and ensuring everyone can thrive outside.”

In recognition for all the VF Corporation has done to improve Colorado since relocating from North Carolina in 2019, Gov. Jared Polis named them one of the recipients of the 2020 Colorado Governor Citizenship Medals.

“Their support allows us to get more kids out and have more experiences outdoors that they normally wouldn’t be able to have,” said Dawn Rocky, the director of corporate relations for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (BGCMD).

The BGCMD recently received $25,000 from the VF Foundation for its health and outdoor education programs. Rocky says 94% of the children in the clubs come from homes that earn under $26,000 a year, so opportunities like skiing or trips to a national park otherwise would not be possible.

“With the support from VF we’re able to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for our kids that include physical activities, emotion support and really keeping them healthy, during a time while so much is falling through the cracks,” Rocky said.

“The importance of these outdoor experiences is significant because they can be beneficial for youth and improve academic performance and engagement while also providing benefits for mental, physical, social and emotional health.”

In addition to helping children enjoy the great outdoors, the VF Foundation has also awarded $500,000 to The Trust for Public Land to support four park projects to help Coloradans enjoy outdoor green space.

The Trust for Public Land is currently working to create parks in the Westwood neighborhood, which does not have much access to parks, said Jim Petterson, state director for The Trust for Public Land.

“This will really help us connect kids and families to the outdoors,” Petterson said.

“The Westwood neighborhood is a vulnerable community as it’s about 80% Latino and don’t have good access to the outdoors, so these funds will help get more people outside.”

The Trust for Public Land is creating a new pocket park, a new skate park and a three-mile walking loop to connect residents to parks, schools and libraries.

For the VF Foundation, giving children the opportunity to rock climb or snowboard for the first time, or giving a family an opportunity to walk to the park, lets the company show it cares about the Earth and its people.

“We want to be more than just an apparel and footwear company,” Schoch said. “We really want to be purpose led and performance driven in all that we do, and really leverage the strength of our business to deliver positive impacts for people, particularly within the outdoors.”

The organizations that the VF Foundation has assisted say there was no better candidate to receive the award.

“The work they do impacts so many communities and it’s truly phenomenal, I honestly believe they deserve this award more than anyone else,” said Rocky.